When is my MOT due?
The annual MOT is a legal obligation and a key car maintenance requirement for most car owners in the UK. You can be fined up to £1000 for not having a valid MOT, so it's important to note the expiry date
Unlike car tax, you will not get a reminder when your car's MOT test is due. That is why we have put together this handy guide to help you find out when your vehicle's MOT is due.
Are you struggling with car maintenance? Contact your local mobile mechanic.
Read on to find out more about the MOT, including how to find the due date and how early you can book the test.
When is my car due for an MOT?
Your car's first MOT will be due three years after its first registration date (four years in Northern Ireland).
Your car's original registration date will be provided to you by the dealership or person that sold you the car. It will also be listed on the V5C logbook.
After the first MOT, the car will require a new MOT every 12 months in order to be road legal. Unless you place the car on SORN, the MOT will be on the same date every year.
You do not need to get an MOT if:
- the vehicle was built or first registered more than 40 years ago and no ‘substantial changes’ have been made to the vehicle in the last 30 years.
How to check your MOT due date
The MOT due date will be on your car's MOT pass certificate.
You can also check the your car's MOT due date with the RAC MOT checker. All you need to do is enter your vehicle's registration to check its renewal date and view its MOT history.
You can also find your MOT due date with the myRAC app.
What is an MOT?
The MOT is a legal requirement for most car owners. It tests the vehicle is safe and roadworthy.
The MOT tester will also check that the vehicle meets the required emissions standards.
Read our MOT checklist and comprehensive guide for more information.
- What is the difference between an MOT and service?
- MOT checklist and comprehensive guide
- How much is an MOT? Your complete guide
How early can you MOT a car?
You can book your MOT a month, minus a day, before your due date. If you do this, your vehicle will keep the same renewal date.
For example, if your MOT runs out on March 10th, the earliest you can get an MOT to keep the same renewal date for next year is February 9th.
And for those drivers who want to get their MOT earlier, the renewal date for the following year will change to one year (minus a day) from the date the vehicle last passed its MOT.
- Money saving MOT tips – help you save money on your next MOT
- Driving without an MOT – what are the risks?
- MOT advisories – all you need to know
When is my first MOT due?
A vehicle’s first MOT is due on the third anniversary of the car's first registration date (fourth anniversary in Northern Ireland).
This information will be on the documents you receive when you buy the car and also listed on the V5C logbook.
Find your MOT due date with the myRAC app
Available to download for free on both iPhone and Android, the myRAC app is the quickest and easiest way to let us know if you have broken down – and to find where the cheapest fuel is in your area.
However, it is also useful to keep track of your MOT due date.
It also helps drivers keep track of insurance, car tax and service dates for those who download the app.
- The most common MOT fails and how to avoid them
- Car tax bands – a complete guide to car tax
- Where is a car service? The ultimate checklist
- Full & interim car service
When is my service due?
When it comes to a car service, there is no exact timings – and they are not a legal requirement like the MOT.
However, there is a general rule that for an interim service, a driver should have it every six months or 6,000 miles – whichever happens first.
And for a full service, this should happen every year, or every 12,000 miles.
Often many car owners will combine the MOT and service in the same trip to the garage. Some places will often offer deals when drivers combine them into the same day they take the car in.
Learn more about a car service and why they are important for all drivers.
When is my car tax due?
Similar to when you check for your MOT due date, a drier can check their car tax status by visiting the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) website and enter in the details of your vehicle.
This useful guide on car tax bands can also help you get the information for this topic.
Service, repair or MOT?
You can trust the RAC with our local approved garages and mobile mechanics.
You might also like
Driving without an MOT – what’s the risk?
If you’re unsure about using your car after failing an MOT test, or driving without a valid certificate, read on for answers.
MOT advisories – all you need to know
If your vehicle has just passed its MOT, and you have received some a list of advisories from the garage. This guide explains all you need to know.
MOT checklist and comprehensive guide
Looking to find out more about MOTs? We've created a truly comprehensive UK MOT guide, covering every aspect from costs to laws and tips to checklists.
Money-saving MOT tips – your complete guide
In the midst of a cost of living crisis, we have highlighted how you can save some money ahead of your next MOT. This is your ultimate guide.
New MOT rules - what changes are happening in 2025?
MOT rule changes impact all drivers in the UK. In this guide we explain what will take place in 2025 and how it will impact you. Read here for our latest guide.
Video
The most common MOT fails and how to avoid them
To help you pass your MOT, we have taken data from the DVSA, to reveal what the most common MOT failures are - and how you can potentially avoid them.
What is the difference between an MOT and Service?
What separates a MOT and a service, and why they are both vital for car owners across the UK? Learn more about the price, work carried out, and timelines.
How to find your car's service history
Your car's service history is a critical piece of data. We tell you how to check your car's service history and why it is important.
How to service your car: car servicing checklist
If the thought of paying out for servicing once or twice a year fills your bank balance with dread, you could consider servicing your car yourself.
EV maintenance, service, and repairs guide
Electric vehicles (EVs) are generally cheaper to maintain than their petrol or diesel equivalents. However, an EV still needs regular servicing.
Popular in Advice & Guides
1
Are headlights too bright? Everything you need to know about headlight glare
2
Lost driving licence – how to get a replacement
3
Car dashboard symbols and meanings – warning lights guide
4
What to do if your car breaks down
5
A complete guide to motorbike tax
6
How to check MOT history
7
MOT checklist and comprehensive guide
8
Cheapest cars to insure for new drivers 2025 - Top 10
9
Euro 7 emissions standard: what is it and when does it come into effect?
10